Georgia’s attorney general, Chris Carr, has sued the city of Savannah for passing an ordinance that makes it illegal to leave firearms in unlocked cars. The city council enacted this ordinance in April in an effort to prevent criminals from stealing guns, citing local police statistics that showed over 200 guns were reported stolen last year from unlocked vehicles. The law imposes penalties of a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail. Carr argues that the ordinance violates state law, which prohibits local governments from regulating the possession, ownership, transport, or carrying of firearms. This sets the stage for a potential court battle over whether cities have the authority to implement gun safety measures that have not been supported by the state legislature, which is dominated by Republicans.
The lawsuit filed by Carr foreshadows a potential legal fight over the authority of local governments like Savannah’s to enforce gun safety measures. Despite the attorney general’s objections, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has indicated that the city council will not back down from enforcing the gun ordinance. Johnson, a Democrat and former police officer, believes that the ordinance strikes a balance between encouraging responsible gun ownership and protecting citizens’ Second Amendment rights. The city council unanimously voted to require vehicles to be locked when guns are stored inside and to mandate that gun thefts be reported to police within 24 hours. The ordinance was well-received by members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America during a public comment period at City Hall.
Prior to Savannah’s action, efforts to pass gun control measures at the state level failed earlier this year. Gun control advocates had sought to implement a $300 state income tax credit to cover the cost of gun locks, gun safes, and safety classes for gun owners. However, these measures did not gain traction in the state legislature. Carr’s letter to Savannah officials referenced previous court rulings overturning gun restrictions imposed by local governments, such as a 2007 ruling that struck down a Coweta County ordinance banning firearms at recreational facilities. He warned city officials that they could face civil liability for enforcing the gun ordinance, urging them to reconsider their decision to approve it.
Savannah police reported that 244 guns were stolen from vehicles last year, with the majority of them being taken from unlocked cars. This year, a similar number of thefts have been reported, with many coming from unlocked vehicles. The city’s gun ordinance aims to address this issue and promote greater gun safety. Despite opposition from the attorney general, the city council stands by its decision to implement the ordinance and enforce it. The council’s efforts have been praised by gun control advocates, who see it as a step towards reducing gun thefts and promoting responsible gun ownership.
The clash between state and local authorities over gun regulation highlights the ongoing debate over gun rights and safety measures in Georgia. While the state legislature has not supported certain gun control measures, cities like Savannah are taking action to address gun violence and theft. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Chris Carr against the city of Savannah underscores the challenges faced by local governments seeking to implement gun safety measures in a state where gun rights are highly valued. The outcome of this legal battle will likely have broader implications for how gun laws are enforced at the local level in Georgia and beyond.
